Cigarette machine



April 7, 1964 A. KAsTNER 3,127,900`

4 CIGARETTE MACHINE Filed Jn. 25, 1962 s sheets-sheet 1 PRIOR ART April 7, 1964 A. KASTNER CIGARETTE MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 25, 1962 Fl g. 4 PRIOR ART April 7, 1964 v A. KASTNER 3,127,900

CIGARETTE MACHINE Filed Jan. 25, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent O 3,127,900 CIGARETTE MACHINE Arnold Kastner, 4200 @steil Piace, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Filed Jan. 25, 1962, Ser. No. 163,844 Claims priority, application Canada Jan. 25, 1961 6 Claims. (Ci. 131-70) The present invention relates to a portable, manually operated cigarette making machine and more particularly to an improvement in the cigarette machine described in United States Patent No. 2,731,971 issued January 24, 1956 in the name of Karl Kastner.

The above patent discloses a cigarette making machine which compacts a quantity of tobacco suicient for one cigarette and then injects same by means of a plunger into a ready-rolled cigarette tube, the tube being held at one end by a gripping pin during the injection of the tobacco. After the compacted tobacco is completely injected into the tube the gripping pin-releases the cigarette tube so that the iinished cigarette can fall from, or can easily be removed from, the machine after the injector plunger is withdrawn.

The machine according to the patent was primarily designed for use with cagarette tubes open at both ends and as such was little concerned to what depth the injection plunger passed into the tube prior to the release of the tube from the machine other than to ensure a complete filling of the tube. Since the issue of the patent however, plaintip cigarettes havefallen into general disfavour in view of the demand for lter-tipped cigarettes.

A filter-tipped cigarette although being of greater overall length than a plain-end cigarette does not contain as much tobacco due to the presence of the ltering element. In other words the length of the tobacco roll in a plain-end cigarette is greater than that of a filter-tip cigarette. Accordingly, vwhen a ready-rolled cigarette tube containing a lter-tipped end is mounted on a` machine according to the patent and the machine activated, the injection plunger projects too far into the filter-tip tube prior to the release of the tube by the tube gripper andresults ina tearing of the tube. Conversely when a machine according to the patent is altered for use with lter-tip tubes, its use with plain-end tubes is unsatisfactory as the tobacco roll is not injected completely to the end of the tube.

It has now been found that it is possible to oifer the public a cigarette making machine which may be satisfactorily used With either plain-end or filter-tipped cigarette tubes.

It is accordingly the object ofthe invention to provide a cigarette vmaking machine as above described but which can be quickly and easily adapted to produce excellent cigarettes of either the plain-end or lter-tip variety.

This and other objects will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: v

FIGURE l is a perspective view of the cigarette machine disclosed in the above-indicated patent,

FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 illustrate a top view of the machine shown in perspective view in FIGURE l, and having the top and handle removed to display the position of the components of the machine during different stages of operation.

FIGURE 5 illustrates atop view slightly enlarged of the tube retaining lever and eccentrically pivoted selection handle according to the present application.

FIGURE 6 is an exploded side of the assembly shown in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a top view similar to FIGURE 5 but illustrating the tube retaining lever and selector handle in various relative positions.

3,l27,90il Patented Apr. 7, 1964 Mice FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the machine similar to FIGURE 1 but illustrating the positioning of the selector handle according to the present invention.

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to the showing in FIGURE 5, but illustrating a second embodiment of the tube retaining lever of the instant invention.

FIGURE l0 is a view of one of the components-the tube retaining lever-illustrated in FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a view of one of the components-the adjustment plate-illustrated in FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 12 is a view of one of the components-the selector plateillustrated in FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 13 is a view similar to the showing in FIG- URE 7, illustrating the second embodiment of the invention with the tube retaining lever and selector handle in various relative positions.

Although the cigarette machine illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2, 3, and 4 is fully described in the above-identified United States patent it is believed a brief disclosure of the operation ofthe machine will be benecial at this time.

In FIGURE 1nurneral 1 indicates the base of the machine and numeral 2 a casing comprising the top and side of the machine. A rotatable handle for the operation of the machine is indicated at 3, and an aperture in the top of the casing 2 at 4. Numeral 5 represents a tobacco ejecting nipple and numeral 6.a cigarette tube gripping pin. An axle 7 connects the handle 3 with the operational compo- A nents in the machine.

tached cam 10 .(see FIGURE 2).

FIGURE 2 is a top view of the machine shown in FIG- URE 1 withthe casing 2 removed and illustrates the positioning of the component elements of the machine when the handle 3 is in the position illustrated in FIGURE l.

In the operation of the machine according to the patent the open end of a cigarette tube is placed over the tobacco ejecting nipple 5, and a quantity of tobacco sufficient for one cigarette is inserted through the aperture 4 (see FIG- URE 1) in the top'of the machine casing 2, onto the bottom` 8 of a tobacco `receiving chamber indicated generally at 9. lThe handle 3 isthen rotated clockwise in the direction of arrow A (see FIGURE l) resulting in a corresponding rotary.movement in axle 7 and integrally at- The rotary movement of camnlt) urges transverse link 11 to the left as viewed in FIGURE 2 due to the influence of cam face 12 on stud 13.

Links 14 and 15 are rotatably pivoted at one end to transverse link L11 at 16 and 17 respectively and at the other end-are pivoted to the top of the casing 2 by bolts 18; while one end of links'19 and 20 are rotatably pivoted to transverse link 11 at 16 and 17 respectively and at the other end are pivoted to a tobacco compacting member 21 at 22 and 23 respectively. Accordingly, as transverse link 11 is urged to the left, the tobacco compacting member 21 is moved into a tobacco compacting position as illustrated in FIGURE 3. The action of cam. face 24 on stud 13 maintains the said compacting member 21 in the position illustrated in FIGURE 3 during the completion of the clockwise rotary movement of the handle 3 and cam 10.

When the handle 3 of the machine is in the starting position as shown in FIGURE 1, a stud 25 on toggle link 19 contacts a rst extension arm 26 of a tube retaining lever 27. The tube retaining lever 27 is pivoted at 28 to the underside of the bottom 8 of the tobacco receiving chamber 9. The action of stud 2S on arm 26 pivots the retaining lever 27 against the action of spring 29 to hold the tube grippingpin 6 away from the tobacco ejecting nipple S, thus allowing a cigarette tube t0 be placed on said nipple 5.

However, when toggle link 19 is moved from the position shown in FIGURE 2 to the position shown in FIG- URE 3 the action of spring 29 pivots the tube retaining lever 27 and brings tube 4gripping pin 6 into contact with the tobacco ejecting nipple to hold the cigarette tube on the nipple 5 during the injection of the tobacco roll.

On further clockwise rotation of the handle 3 and cam 19, stud 3@ on cam It? contacts an arm 31 which is freely pivoted on axle '7. The action of stud 39 on arm 3l and against the action of spring 32 moves arm 3l, link 33, tobacco plunger 34 and integral tobacco injection plunger 35 from the position illustrated in FIG- URE 3 to the position illustrated in FIGURE 4.

When the plunger 34 and injector 35 reaches or substantially reaches the position illustrated in FIGURE 4 the end 36 of arm 3l contacts a second extension arm 37 on tube retaining lever 27 and pivots said lever 27 at 28 against the action of spring 29 to move tube gripping pin 6 out of contact with the tobacco ejecting nipple 5 thus allowing the complete cigarette to be removed from the nipple 5 when the injector plunger 35 is withdrawn from the cigarette tube by revolving handle 3 in a counter-clockwise direction.

The machine above described produces excellent cigarettes of the open or plain end variety but when tubes are used which have a filter-tip on one end the tobacco injector 35 projects too far into the tube, due to the shorter tobacco area in a lter tip cigarette, prior to the release of the tube by the gripping pin 6, resulting in a ripping of the tube. To allow the machine to produce filter-tip cigarettes it was contemplated that tube retaining lever 27 be altered to extend the length of arm 37 so that end 36 on arm 3l would contact extended arm 37 sooner and allow gripping pin 6 to release the tube from ejector tube 5 prior to the injector plunger 35 reaching its fully extended position. When the arm 37 was so altered however, it was found that when the machine was again used with cigarette tubes open at both ends, that the injector plunger 35 failed to inject the tobacco completely to the end of the tube thus producing an unsatisfactory cigarette.

- It has now been found, and is an object of the instant invention, to provide a cigarette making machine similar to that disclosed in the above patent but which can be easily and quickly adjusted to produce cigarettes of either the filter-tip or plain-end variety.

To accomplish this object it is proposed to employ a tube retaining lever 27 which is eccentrically mounted at 25 to the underside of the bottom 8 of the tobacco compacting compartment 9, and which is manually movable towards or away from arm 31 by a selector handle, protruding through a side wall of the machine.

Attached FIGURE 5 is a top view slightly enlarged of the tube retaining lever 27 and eccentrically pivoted selector handle 39 according to the instant invention. Numeral 27 illustrates a tube retaining lever substantially similar to the above-described but having a selector handle 39 eccentrically mounted to the underside thereof to enable the retaining lever 27 to be longitudinally displaceable within the machine. Numeral 4b on extended arm 26 designates a drill hole adapted to receive one end of spring 29.

FIGURE 6 illustrates an exploded view and illustrates the eccentric arrangement and attachment of the tube retaining lever 27 and selector handle 39 to the underside 8 of the tobacco compacting compartment 9.

From FIGURE 6 it will be seen that selector handle 39 is provided on its upperside with a raised iiat circular portion 4l which coincides with a corresponding cavity 42 provided in tube retaining lever 27. A drill hole 43 in the handle 39 provides means for pivotally securing the handle and lever at 28 to the underside of bottom 8.

As the drill hole 43 is not concentric with the circular raised portion 41 nor the corresponding circular cavity 42 in retaining lever 27, it will be appreciated that when handle 39 is moved from side to side the action of the eccentric arrangement will result in a corresponding side to side movement of the tube retaining lever 27.

This movement is illustrated in FIGURE 7. When handle 39 is in the position shown in solid lines the tube retaining lever 27 assumes the position shown in solid lines, whereas when the handle is in the position shown in dotted lines the lever 27 assumes the position shown in dotted lines.

FIGURE 8 illustrates a perspective View of the cigarette making machine showing the provision of handle 39 which may be moved in either direction to vary the distance of the tube retaining lever from the arm 31 and accordingly vary the operating relationship between the tobacco plunger 34 and injector 35, and the tube gripping pin 6.

In FIGURE 8 an edge of the slot through which the selector handle 39 passes is provided with serrations 44 and the handle 39 is provided with a sharp edge 45 (see FIGURE 6) for communication with said serrations to provide means for maintaining said handle in a set position.

It will be appreciated that the addition of the tube retaining lever and selector handle according to the instant application to the machine described in the aboveindicated United States patent will enable the operator to control the time of release of a cigarette tube by the tube gripping pin 6 with relation to the depth of penetration of the tobacco injector 35 into the tube and accordingly be able to produce excellent cigarettes of either plain-end, cork tip, or filter-tip variety.

The advantage of the lirst embodiment of the instant invention is realized by the eccentric mounting of the tube retaining lever 27, and the provision of a selector handle 39 for varying the position of the tube retaining lever. By varying the position of the tube retaining lever 27 one can regulate at just what moment the end 36 of arm 31 will contact extended arm 37 on the tube retaining lever 27. The contact between end 36 and extended arm 37 controls the pivoting of tube retaining lever at 28, which results in the movement of cigarette tube gripping pin 6 away from tobacco ejecting nipple 5, thus freeing the cigarette tube positioned on said nipple.

According to the second embodiment of the instant invention a different arrangement is employed for controlling at just what moment end 36 of arm 31, Will contact tube retaining lever 27.

In FIGURE 9 a tube retaining lever 46, quite similar to the tube retaining lever 27 previously discussed, is shown. The lever 46 is pivotally (not eccentrically) mounted at 47 to the underside of tobacco receiving chamber 8.

Mounted on said lever 46 by means of bolt 49 is an adjustment plate 48. The adjustment plate 48 is provided with an elongated slot Sil, Within which rides a stud 51 positioned on lever 46. Bolt 49 is also positioned in slot 5tlg the head of said bolt 49 holding plate 48 in engagement with lever 46.

Adjustment plate 48 is also provided with four holes numbered 52 to 55 (see FIGURE 1l), the purpose of which will be later discussed.

Pivotally attached to plate 48 by bolt 56 is a selector plate 57. Selector plate 57 is provided on its surface in contact with plate 48, with two rounded protrusions 58 and 59. Said rounded protrusions being adapted to be received by holes 52 to 55 (see FIGURE 11) provided in plate 48. When the selector plate 57 is in the position illustrated in FIGURE 9, rounded protrusion 53 is positioned in hole 52, and protrusion 59 is positioned in hole 54. If plate 57 is rotated slightly in a counter-clockwise direction (see FIGURE 13) rounded protrusion 58 will leave hole 52 and be received by hole 53. Similarly protrusion 59 will be received by hole 55. Selector plate 57 is also provided with an extending selector handle 57',

gramos which protrudes through the side of the machine (see FIGURE 8).

Between the head of bolt 56 and plate 57 a small coil spring (not shown) is provided. The function of said coil spring is to maintain plate 57 in close contact with plate 48.

In FIGURES 10, 1l andvlZ, the components of FIG- URE 9 are illustrated separately for a better understanding of their relationships.

FIGURE l illustrates the tube retaining lever 46. Numeral 6 represents thev cigarette tube gripping pin (see FIGURE 4), and numeral 40a hole for receiving spring 29 (see FIGURE 4). The stud to be received by slot 50 in plate 48 is shown at 51, and a tapped hole for receiving bolt 49 is provided at 61. Numeral 62 represents a hole through which bolt 47 passes to pivotally attach lever 46 tothe underside of tobacco receiving chamber 8.

FIGURE 1l illustrates the adjustable plate 48, with the elongated slot 50 and holes 52 to 55. Numeral 63 represents a tapped hole adapted to receive bolt 56 (see FIG- URE 9).

FIGURE l2 illustrates the selector plate 57. Numeral` 64 represents a holethrough which bolt- 56passes-to pivotally attach selector plate 57 to adjustment plate 48. The rounded protrusions 58 and' 59V are illustrated by broken lines.

FIGURE l3.illustrates a view. similar to FIGURE 9, but with rounded. protrusions 58y and 59 positioned in holes 53 and S5 respectively of adjustment plate 48.

Tube retaining lever 46,'and attached adjustment plate 45 andk selector plate 57, is positioned in the machine previously describedin place of tube retaining lever 27. When selector plate 57 is in the position illustrated in FIGURE 9 and the machine operated as previously discussed, end 36 on arm 31 contacts shoulder 65 on adjustment plate 48. This contact pivots lever 46 at 47 to open the contact between tube retaining pin 6 and tobacco ejecting nipple 5 (see FIGURE 4), to free the cigarette tube. The positioning of selector plate 57 shown in FIGURE 9 is used when cigarettes of the plain-end variety are to be made.

When iilter-tipped cigarettes are to be produced it is important, as previously discussed, that tube gripping pin 6 release the cigarette tube earlier during the course of travel of injector plunger 35 than when plain-end cigarettes are being produced. This may be accomplished by moving selector plate to the position illustrated in FIG- URE 13. In this position and when the machine is activated, end 36 on arrn 31 contacts shoulder 66 on selector plate 57, thus freeing the cigarette tube positioned on nipple 5 before ripping of the tube occurs.

As the selector handle 57' protrudes through the side wall of the machine (see FIGURE 8), it will be appreciated how quickly and easily the machine can be adapted to produce either plain-end or filter-tipped cigarettes.

Adjustment plate 48 is tightly affixed to lever 46, by means of bolt 49. Elongated slot 50 is provided in the adjustment plate to enable adjustment of plate 48 in relation to lever 46, and hence in the relatively positioning of selector plate 57, for major adjustments in the event that cigarette tubes not specically designed for use with the machine are used from time to time.

For this reason the second embodiment of the invention is described showing the adjustment plate 48 as a separate component. It will be realized however that the provision of the adjustment plate 48 is not necessary for the successful operation of the machine, and that the selector plate 57 may be pivoted directly to the tube retaining lever 46.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are dened as follows:

l. In cigarette making machines of the type having a casing and a nipple secured to said casing adapted to receive a cigarette tube, a tobacco receiving chamber 5.. formed-within said casing adjacent saidnipple, a tobacco compacting member displaceable within said chamber from a tobacco disengaging positionto a tobacco compacting position, toggle lever means fordisplacing said tobacco compacting member, a tobacco plunger and injector for ejecting the compacted tobacco through said nippleintosaid cigarette tube, an arm for actuating said plunger and-said injector, a cigarette tube retaining lever pivotedony said casing for movement betweena cigarette tube retaining position and a cigarette tube releasing position, a springfurging-said lever into said cigarette tube retaining position, a rst extension on said lever and engageableby said-toggle lever meansv for maintaining said leverin cigarette tube releasing position when said tobacco compacting member is in tobacco disengaging-position, and a second extension on said lever and engageable by said arm for maintaining said lever in a cigarette tube releasing position when-said plunger and said injec-- tor have reached tobacco ejecting position, the improvement comprising means operably associated withv said lever-for lengthening or shortening said second extension on said lever, to enable said machine to accommodate cigarette tubes of either the pain-end or iilter-tippedvariety, said'second extension of said lever being provided with a selector plate pivotally attached: thereto, and said plate having a manual handle formed integral` therewith for varying the positioning of said selector plate on said lever.

2. In cigarette making machines of the type having a casing and a nipple secured to said casing adapted to receive a cigarette tube, a tobacco receiving charnberV formed Within said casing adjacent said nipple, a tobacco compacting member displaceable Within said chamber from a tobacco disengaging position to a tobacco compacting position, toggle lever means for displacing said tobacco compacting member, a tobacco plunger and injector for ejecting the compacted tobacco through said nipple into said cigarette tube, an arm for actuating said plunger and said injector, a cigarette tube retaining lever pivoted on said casing for movement between a cigarette tube retaining position and a cigarette tube releasing position, a spring urging said lever into said cigarette tube retaining position, a iirst extension on said lever and engageable by said toggle lever means for maintaining said lever in cigarette tube releasing position when said tobacco compacting member is in tobacco disengaging position, and a second extension on said lever and engageable by said arm for maintaining said lever in a cigarette tube releasing position when said plunger and said injector have reached tobacco ejecting position, the improvement comprising means operably associated with said lever for lengthening or shortening said second extension on said lever, to enable said machine to accommodate cigarette tubes of either the plain-end or ltertipped variety, said tube retaining lever being provided with an adjustment plate slidably positioned thereon, and said adjustment plate being provided with a selector plate pivotally attached thereto.

3. Cigarette making machines according to claim 2, wherein said selector plate has a manual handle formed integral therewith for varying the positioning of said selector plate on said adjustment plate.

4. Cigarette making machines according to claim 2, comprising means for varying the relative positions of said lever and said adjustment plate.

5. In cigarette making machines of the type having a casing and a nipple secured to said casing adapted to receive a cigarette tube, a tobacco receiving chamber formed Within said casing adjacent said nipple, a tobacco compacting member displaceable within said chamber from a tobacco disengaging position to a tobacco compacting position, toggle lever means for displacing said tobacco compacting member, a tobacco plunger and injector for ejecting the compacted tobacco through said nipple into said cigarette tube, an arm for actuating said plunger and said injector, a cigarette tube retaining lever pivoted on said casing for movement between a cigarette tube retaining position and a cigarette tube releasing position, a spring urging said lever into said cigarette tube retaining position, a irst extension on said lever and engageable by said toggle lever means for maintaining said lever in cigarette tube releasing position when said tobacco compacting member is in tobacco disengaging position, and a second extension on said lever and engageable by said arm for maintaining said lever in a cigarette tube releasing position when said plunger and said injector have reached tobacco ejecting position, the improvement comprising an adjustment plate positioned on the second extension of said lever in overlapping relation thereto, said adjustment plate being movable relative to said lever, a selector plate pivotally positioned on said adjustment plate and having a portion overlying said adjustment plate, and a handle formed integral with said selector plate for varying the positioning of said selector plate on said adjustment plate, and for varying the effective distance between said second extension of said lever and said engaging arm.

6. In cigarette making machines of the type having a casing and a nipple secured to said casing adapted to receive a cigarette tube, a tobacco receiving chamber formed within said casing adjacent said nipple, a tobacco compacting member displaceable within said chamber from a tobacco disengaging position to a tobacco compacting position, toggle lever means for displacing said tobacco compacting member, a tobacco plunger and injector for ejecting the compacted tobacco through said nipple into said cigarette tube, an arm for actuating said plunger andV said injector, a cigarette tube retaining lever pivoted on said casing for movement between a cigarette tube retaining position and a cigarette tube releasing position, a spring urging said lever into said cigarette tube retaining position, a rst extension on said lever and engageable by said toggle lever means for maintaining said lever in cigarette tube releasing position when said tobacco compacting member is in tobacco disengaging position, and a second extension on said lever and engageable by said arm for maintaining said lever in a cigarette tube releasing position when said plunger and said injector have reached tobacco ejecting position, the improvement comprising means for lengthening or shortening the distance between the second extension and the arm thereby controlling the moment of contact between the arm and the second extension for enabling the machine to accommodate cigarette tubes of either the plainend or lter-tipped variety, said casing including a side wall provided with an elongated slot, and a manually operated handle operably coupled with said means for lengthening or shortening the distance between the second extension and the arrn and protruding through said slot.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,714,383 Ming Gee Aug. 2, 1955 2,731,971 Kastner Jan. 24, 1956 3,003,366 Herbst et al Oct. 10, 1961 3,041,888 Dehn a July 3, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 464,948 Great Britain Apr. 28, 1937 

1. IN CIGARETTE MAKING MACHINES OF THE TYPE HAVING A CASING AND A NIPPLE SECURED TO SAID CASING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A CIGARETTE TUBE, A TOBACCO RECEIVING CHAMBER FORMED WITHIN SAID CASING ADJACENT SAID NIPPLE, A TOBACCO COMPACTING MEMBER DISPLACEABLE WITHIN SAID CHAMBER FROM A TOBACCO DISENGAGING POSITION TO A TOBACCO COMPACTING POSITION, TOGGLE LEVER MEANS FOR DISPLACING SAID TOBACCO COMPACTING MEMBER, A TOBACCO PLUNGER AND INJECTOR FOR EJECTING THE COMPACTED TOBACCO THROUGH SAID NIPPLE INTO SAID CIGARETTE TUBE, AN ARM FOR ACTUATING SAID PLUNGER AND SAID INJECTOR, A CIGARETTE TUBE RETAINING LEVER PIVOTED ON SAID CASING FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A CIGARETTE TUBE RETAINING POSITION AND A CIGARETTE TUBE RELEASING POSITION, A SPRING URGING SAID LEVER INTO SAID CIGARETTE TUBE RETAINING POSITION, A FIRST EXTENSION ON SAID LEVER AND ENGAGEABLE BY SAID TOGGLE LEVER MEANS FOR MAINTAINING SAID LEVER IN CIGARETTE TUBE RELEASING POSITION WHEN SAID TOBACCO COMPACTING MEMBER IS IN TOBACCO DISENGAGING POSITION, AND A SECOND EXTENSION ON SAID LEVER AND ENGAGEABLE BY SAID ARM FOR MAINTAINING SAID LEVER IN A CIGARETTE TUBE RELEASING POSITION WHEN SAID PLUNGER AND SAID INJECTOR HAVE REACHED TOBACCO EJECTING POSITION, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING MEANS OPERABLY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID LEVER FOR LENGTHENING OR SHORTENING SAID SECOND EXTENSION ON SAID LEVER, TO ENABLE SAID MACHINE TO ACCOMMODATE CIGARETTE TUBES OF EITHER THE PAIN-END OR FILTER-TIPPED VARIETY, SAID SECOND EXTENSION OF SAID LEVER BEING PROVIDED WITH A SELECTOR PLATE PIVOTALLY ATTACHED THERETO, AND SAID PLATE HAVING A MANUAL HANDLE FORMED INTEGRAL THEREWITH FOR VARYING THE POSITIONING OF SAID SELECTOR PLATE ON SAID LEVER. 